Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has praised Sunrisers Hyderabad for their trade with Chennai Super Kings. SRH was able to get the services of Nathan Ellis and Khaleel Ahmed from CSK and gave away Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards.
With the World Cup and the Ashes set to be played in 2027, Cummins could decide to opt out of IPL 2027. Thus, Chopra reckons the Orange Army has made a smart move in roping in two fast bowlers as there are doubts on Cummins’ availability.
“Firstly, five stars for Hyderabad because their bowling was weak. There is no doubt about that. They were managing somehow. They definitely had Eshan Malinga, and Pat Cummins was doing his job, but they had to get the job done by Sakib Hussain and get Praful Hinge to bowl, and they had Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“However, now they said Pat Cummins might not be available, there is a possibility, so can they strengthen their fast bowling? They proceeded with that mission. They first took T Natarajan. If he starts nailing the yorker, he is an asset,” he added.
The former KKR batter added that Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis are great additions for SRH.
“After that, they went to Chennai and offered Liam Livingstone, whom they (CSK) had been chasing since 2022, and Jack Edwards along with him. In return, they have taken Khaleel Ahmed – left-arm pace, new ball and old ball, and a very improved bowler – and Nathan Ellis with him. When Nathan Ellis was unavailable last year, it seemed like Chennai suddenly became weak,” he observed.
The reputed commentator added that CSK have a plethora of fast bowlers despite releasing two pacers.
“I was wondering what Chennai have done. The MRF Pace Academy is actually here. They have released two, but apart from them, they have Mukesh Choudhary, Matt Henry, Anshul Kamboj, Spencer Johnson, Gurjapneet Singh, Kuldip Yadav, Akash Madhwal, Zak Foulkes, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, and now Jack Edwards,” he said.
IPL 2027 auction will be held in Goa in mid-December.
